Vols Play 21 True Freshmen in Win Over Utah State
Tennessee has one of the youngest teams in the country, and they proved it Sunday night playing 21 true freshmen in their season opener against Utah State.
And the new kids on the block got the job done against the Aggies.
Tennessee’s newcomers helped deliver a resounding 38-7 win on a Sunday Night.
Maybe now head coach Butch Jones will not have to get in the pulpit again, preaching the impact of the Big Orange.
"45-percent of the players played their first game tonight in a Tennessee uniform. About half of them have came up to me and said coach, now I get what you have been preaching and saying that this place is special."
Utah State discovered the senior linebacker A.J. Johnson is special.
He forced two turnovers, including one on a kickoff that lead to a pair of touchdowns.
"Coach told me after last season he was going to put me on kickoff. I was like, I’m ready for it coach."
Said Jones,"He does his job, and he takes pride in his job. He takes pride in his quality of performance."
Johnson celebrated by leading the UT band in Rocky Top.
"Coach Jones made be get up there. I was like, oh all right." (laughter)
Song "Turn Down for What" plays on third downs.
But ‘Third Down for Naught’ should have been the theme for the Vols defense.
Utah State converted only 3 of 14 third downs.
Said linebacker Curt Maggitt,"Third down is the money maker. That’s the play where you are either making it or you ain’t. So ‘Third Down For What’ is about getting hyped helping us get off the field."
While Tennessee rushed for only 110-yards, senior QB Justin Worley threw for 273-yards and three scores.
Said Jones,"Justin was calm and collected."
Said Worley,"I didn’t have the nerves that I have had in the past. Goes back to my confidence level. Confidence in these guys. Confidence in our whole offensive scheme and everything."
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